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What is the Olink Explore 384 Oncology Panel
Customized panel for human
The Olink Explore 384 Oncology Panel utilizes Proximity Extension Assay technology to quantify 368 cancer-related protein biomarkers in parallel, encompassing validated clinical indicators and novel exploratory targets. Requiring only 1 μL of plasma/serum per specimen, the platform processes 88 samples per run with sensitivity thresholds under 1 pg/mL and intra-assay variability below 5% CV via Normalized Protein Expression standardization. Its modular architecture integrates eight specialized subpanels for holistic immune profiling and mechanism-driven pathway analysis, supported by National Institute of Standards and Technology-certified reference materials to ensure robust biomarker verification in oncological studies.
Features of the pane
- Species: Human proteome applications only.
- Proteins: 384 parallel cancer biomarker measurements.
- Sample: 1 µL plasma or serum.
- Readout: NPX-normalized quantification.
- Platform: Olink Signature Q100 platform required.
List of 384 human derived biomarkers
Protein category
The Olink Explore 384 Oncology Panel profiles 368 proteins across eight main groups: the enzymes, Receptors, Cytokines/Chemokines, Structural/Adhesion, Signaling Proteins, Immune-Related Proteins, Growth Factors/Binding, and other functional proteins. (see Table. List of Olink Explore 384 Oncology Panel). These biomarkers contain human proteins involved in biological mechanisms essential for cancer initiation and progression, such as angiogenesis, cell communication, cell metabolic processes, apoptosis, cell proliferation/differentiation. In addition, the cancer-related proteins included by DisGenNet include a variety of markers related to carcinogenesis, tumor progression, solid tumors and recurrent tumors.
Protein Functions
Biological process
Primarily related to immune system diseases and the actions of signal transduction.
Disease area
Primarily linked to oncological processes, immune system regulation, metabolic pathways, cardiovascular pathophysiology, and infectious disease mechanisms.
The Application of Olink Explore 384 Oncology Panel.
The Olink Explore 384 Oncology Panel enables simultaneous quantification of 384 protein biomarkers linked to cancer biology, offering researchers a robust tool for:
- Identification of novel protein signatures in tumor-immune interactions (e.g., checkpoint molecules, cytokines);
- Mechanistic investigation of tumor stroma components (fibroblast activation, extracellular matrix remodeling);
- Discovery of biomarkers for immunotherapy response or resistance in preclinical models;
- Stratification of experimental groups based on proteomic profiles.
Workflow of Olink Proteomics
Why CPR
Ultra-High-Plex Biomarker Profiling
Simultaneously quantifies 384 oncology-related proteins from minimal sample volumes, enabling comprehensive biomarker discovery and pathway analysis in cancer research.
Adaptive Panel Customization
42 flexible assay slots complementing 342 fixed oncology targets, allowing researchers to tailor panels for specific cancer subtypes or experimental needs.
Multi-Omics Integration
Compatible with genomic and transcriptomic datasets, facilitating systems biology approaches to uncover novel cancer biomarkers or resistance mechanisms.
Scalable Study Design
Supports high-throughput screening for large cohort studies (e.g., patient stratification, treatment response subtyping) with minimal batch effects.
Demo Results of Olink Data
Volcano Plot of Mendelian Randomization Results: Causal Associations Between Plasma Proteins and Bladder Cancer. (Wu, M. H., et al. 2024)
Sample Requirements
| Sample Type | Recommended Sample Size | Sample Quality | Pre-treatment and Storage | Sample Transport |
| Plasma/Serum/Body Fluid | 40µL/sample | Protein concentration: 0.5mg/ml ~ 1mg/ml | Transfer to sterile containers, aliquot into 1.5 mL tubes or 96-well plates, and store at -80°C for cryopreservation. | Ship aluminum foil-sealed specimens on dry ice (-80°C). |
| Tissue | ||||
| Cells | ||||
| Exosomes | ||||
| Other |
Case Study
Molecular and immunological features associated with long-term benefits in metastatic NSCLC patients undergoing immune checkpoint blockade
Journal: Oncoimmunology
Year: 2025
- Background
- Methods
- Results
Immunotherapy has been established as a treatment option for a variety of solid tumors, driven by its particular benefit in specific patient populations. Although immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) has been widely used in various solid tumors, we have not yet identified a clinically meaningful biomarker with long-term benefit.
Proteome analysis was conducted as previously described, utilizing the Olink Proximity Extension Assay (PEA) and specifically the explore 384 Oncology panel. In brief, paired oligonucleotide-labeled antibody probes bind to their target proteins, and if the two probes are in close proximity, the oligonucleotides will hybridize in pairs. The addition of DNA polymerase leads to proximity-dependent DNA aggregation events that generate unique target sequences through next-generation sequencing analysis. Known sequence reads are counted and converted into standardized protein expression (NPX) units via the quality control and normalization processes developed and provided by Olink. Data were quality controlled and normalized using internal extension controls to correct for intra-assay variation. The final assay reading is represented as an NPX value, which is an arbitrary unit on the log2 scale, with higher values corresponding to greater protein abundance.
Baseline comparison of long-term (LTR) and short-term (STR) patients found that most proteins (n = 35) were upregulated in LTR patients, compared with only 4 proteins in STR patients. Among the proteins upregulated in LTR patients, reseachers found proteins associated with apoptosis (CASP8, PRKRA, CHAC2, CIAPIN1), cell cycle (CDKN2D, DCTN1, TACC3, SIRT2, USO1, SUTG1) and autophagy (ATGA4), as well as proteins related to chemotaxis (S100A4), innate immune system (MME), immunoproteasome, and MHCi. classes (PSMD9, RNF41), Processing of TCR signaling (STAT5B) and immune homeostasis (HAVCR1, ARG1) (Fig 3).
Figure 1. Baseline and dynamic serum proteomic changes in patients treated with immune checkpoint blockade. (Rocha, P., et al. 2025)
FAQs
What is the composition of the Negative Control in the Olink Explore series, and how can it be used in data analysis?
The negative control of Olink Explore consisted of buffer runs and served as a normal sample. These were used to monitor any background noise generated when the DNA tag was approached without prior binding to the appropriate protein. In Explore 384/3072, the negative control set the background level for detection of each protein and was used to calculate the limit of detection (LOD). Negative controls were repeated twice on Explore HT and thrice on Explore 384/3072.
Does the Olink assay provide absolute or relative quantitation?
The Olink Explore panel uses relative quantitation, and the data is Olink's own arbitrary unit of NPX (normalized protein expression). These products are used for high-throughput protein profiling where changes in protein expression in one group or population are quantified relative to another, such as patients vs. controls, or pre-treatment vs. post-treatment samples.
What is hands-On Time for Olink Explore 3072 and 384 Assays?
The Olink Explore 3072/384 planel deliver results in under 36 hours, with a total hands-on operation time of fewer than 5 hours. This efficient workflow minimizes manual intervention while ensuring rapid, high-quality proteomic data generation.
References
- Wu, M. H., Zhang, M. H., Hu, X. D., et al. (2024). Proteome-wide Mendelian randomization and therapeutic targets for bladder cancer. BMC urology, 24(1), 273. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12894-024-01677-4
- Rocha, P., Bach, R., Masfarré, L., et al. (2025). Molecular and immunological features associated with long-term benefits in metastatic NSCLC patients undergoing immune checkpoint blockade. Oncoimmunology, 14(1), 2469377. https://doi.org/10.1080/2162402X.2025.2469377